“Now you know, Mr. Petre,” said Terrard, a trifle emboldened by the absence so far of a check, “it’s inevitable—I don’t say it’s justified—but it’s inevitable under the circumstances—that they should think you’ve come over on that business. I mean for or against the Trefusis crowd.”
“Yes,” murmured Mr. Petre inanely, like a parrot, “for or against the Trefusis crowd.” Then with sudden intelligence and anxiety, “Who’s they?” he jerked out irritably. “Who’s talking about me and my affairs?” Terrard soothed him with a lifted hand.
“Oh, Mr. Petre, Mr. Petre, don’t imagine for a moment that your privacy has not been respected!... I do assure you it has been. I only meant those who cannot but know your splendid boldness in the Paddenham business. After all, you know, there’s me, and there’s Charlbury, and the office—oh, there’s been nothing in print, but you couldn’t expect the people who follow these things not to have heard a name, a mere name, Mr. Petre.”
“Yes,” groaned Mr. Petre dully. “Go on.”
“Well,” said Terrard, “as I say, they can’t help thinking you’re here either with or against Trefusis and his lot. Certainly that’s what I thought—to put it plainly.”
“Well,” said Mr. Petre, “what then?”
Terrard pondered a moment, recalling the instructions of Mr. Charlbury, J.P. for the County of Surrey. Then he started off:
“Well,” slowly, “the fact is,” more slowly, “Trefusis is going about saying he must act, one way or the other.” Mr. Petre’s blood ran cold again. “You know the kind of man he is?” Mr. Petre nodded; he didn’t, so he nodded—quite emphatically. “He’s like a rat. If he’s cornered, he bites.” Mr. Petre nodded again, as though the habits of the mysterious Trefusis had been the study of his life. “But he’s frightened, Mr. Petre; devilish frightened. To put it plainly, I’ve no doubt of this; that if he thinks you’ll meet him, and that you really mean business, he’ll come down. He’ll combine. He won’t do anything—he’ll just take your terms—in reason. He won’t take action.”
“Take action!” gulped the distracted man. “Take action!” And in his heart he cried aloud to heaven for salvation. A certain malign Trefusis was—might—would take action!—oh! merciful God!—and all would be before the world!
“I said he wouldn’t take action if you approached him,” said Charlie, “and that I advise you to do. I advise you most strongly.”